Josephine KULWICKI

23 JUL 1927 - 21 JUN 2015

• BIRTH: 23 JUL 1927, Crumstown, IN
• DEATH: 21 JUN 2015, Crunstown, IN

• MARRIAGE: 17 MAY 1947, St Stanislaus Kostka, Terre Coupee, IN

1.  Lorainee MAREK
2.  Bill MAREK
3.  Louise MAREK
4.  Fred MAREK

INDEX

[N1743] Josephine Marek
July 23, 1927 - June 21, 2015
SOUTH BEND - "Walk my way and a thousand violins begin to play." Perhaps it was because her husband, Frank, played the violin or maybe it was simply a good "belly-rubbin" tune to dance to, but "Misty" was among the favorite songs of Josephine A. Marek, who died on Sunday, June 21, 2015. Asserting she was "39 years old and holding," Josephine was born in Crumstown, Indiana, on July 23, 1927, the last of five children born to Wladyslaw and Jozefa (Buziak) Kulwicki. She married Frank J. Marek on May 17, 1947, in St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, New Carlisle. The couple loved the sound of the big bands and danced together for nearly 62 years, until Frank's death in March 2009. Josephine always wore a bright, shining smile. Perhaps that is why she often was called Sunny Jo. Her spirit is carried on by her four loving children, Louise (Jody) Koselak of South Bend, Fred Marek of North Liberty, Lorraine Dove of Lapaz, and Bill (Kathy) Marek of South Bend, as well as 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by a brother, Stanley Kulwicki, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Zigmund Kulwicki; sisters, Marta Kulwicki and Clara Treber; and son-in-law, Bill Dove. A graduate of New Carlisle High School, Josephine worked for the South Bend Toy Company prior to her marriage. In later years, she returned to the work world in 1964 when she and Frank purchased the Shamrock Inn in North Liberty, where Jo employed her extensive cooking skills. After 10 years they sold the business, and Jo later worked at Kmart before joining the staff of Sugar-N-Spice and working at that company's candy story in the South Bend International Airport until she retired. Although her memory loss in recent years was frustrating, Jo enjoyed reruns of "The Lawrence Welk Show" on Saturday nights and would tap her foot and sometimes sing along to the songs she remembered. No doubt, Frank was there to take Josephine's hand on Sunday morning, joining her in her long-awaited eternal dance, misty and too much in love. Please join with Josephine's family for the visitation from 2 p.m. 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2015, in St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Road, South Bend, with a Rosary to be prayed at 3:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2015, in St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, 55756 Tulip Road, New Carlisle. Friends may also call one-half hour prior to Mass at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Hospice Foundation, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, Indiana 46545. Condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net.Published in South Bend Tribune on June 23, 2015